ACT unveiled its fiscal plan, Dame Jacinda Ardern returned, and the two major parties unveiled their own fresh policies during another busy Sunday on the campaign trail.
ACT promises to cut debt and spending, raise retirement age
ACT revealed its fiscal plan on Sunday afternoon, promising to cut debt and spending, raise the superannuation age by three months every year, and cut disability benefits by $653 million.
This would be achieved partly by abolishing “demographic” ministries, bringing disability benefits “under control”, cutting foreign aid and back-office spending, and preventing migrants claiming benefits for five years after entering the country.
Two policies in the plan remain mysterious: one costing $100 million a year, and the other being some kind of tax relief costing $264m in its first year, rising to $303m in 2031.
Multiple parties promptly spoke out against the plan. The Greens labelled it “welfare for the wealthiest”, while Labour accused ACT of “punching down”.
Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong then found herself at odds with ACT after questioning how it would deliver a $100 household carbon tax refund when there were no bids in the most recent ETS auction. An ACT spokesperson quickly responded, saying the party would remove the price floor on carbon units to ensure they sell.
You can read more about the fiscal plan here.
The Greens announce the youth jobs policy on Sunday.
Calvin Samuel/RNZ
Greens announce youth jobs policy
Earlier in the day, the Green Party announced it would guarantee jobs for every young New Zealander aged 16 to 24 who has been out of work for six months or more.
The party said, if elected, it would establish a pilot programme called Jobs for Young People, which would provide jobs through iwi, business, the public sector and non-profits.
The party would also scale up the Mayors’ Taskforce – an initiative between local and central government to get young people into work – to get 32,000 young people into work.
Read more about the proposal here.
National leader Christopher Luxon at the Smales Farm walkabout
Calvin Samuel/RNZ
National to require students to complete Year 11
As the day progressed, the major parties turned their attention to schooling, with National vowing to make completing year 11 mandatory.
Education spokesperson Erica Stanford said students can currently leave school when they turn 16, but many reach that birthday during year 11, allowing them to leave before completing the year.
“Students should complete at least a full Year 11 of compulsory science, English and maths, and have the opportunity to gain the new Foundational Award in literacy and numeracy.”
Students would still be able to apply for a leaving exemption if they have a job or are moving into other training, she said.
Find out more about the proposal here.
Labour’s announcement came as leader Chris Hipkins toured an independent grocer in Takanini.
Giles Dexter/RNZ
Lunchtime for Labour
Next it was Labour’s turn for a school-related announcement, with the party confirming more details of its plan to reinstate the former school lunch programme from the start of 2028.
The party’s cost of living action plan said the lunches would continue to cover 244,400 students in the 1014 schools already included. Lunches would be $5 a meal, and $6.50 for students in years 9 to 13.
The lunches would be made in school kitchens, by iwi and hapū partners or by local caterers.
The cost of living policy plan also included a commitment to restore rural school bus routes.
Read our full coverage of the announcement here.
Winston Peters on the campaign trail earlier this week.
RNZ / Nick Monro
NZ First promises visa changes
New Zealand First is promising to scrap the Accredited Working Visa and replace it with a “shortage-led” Skilled Work Visa if re-elected.
Entry into New Zealand under the scheme would be tied to an occupation, region and “demonstrated need”, not an employer getting accreditation.
In a statement, the party said skilled migrants were needed where New Zealanders could not “reasonably fill” a job and the current system had become a “general recruitment channel” for jobs with little connection to a genuine skills shortage.
“The policy will put New Zealand workers first, lift confidence in the immigration system, protect migrant workers from exploitation, and preserve a clear route for employers who genuinely cannot find critical skills here.”
We’ve got all the details about the announcement here.
Former PM Dame Jacinda Ardern re-entered the arena of New Zealand politics on Sunday – somewhat – in a drive for more Labour donations.
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Ardern: Hello from the other side (of the Tasman)
Former PM Dame Jacinda Ardern has re-entered the arena of New Zealand politics – somewhat – in a drive for more Labour donations.
Ardern, who has stayed quiet on New Zealand politics since leaving Parliament in 2023, sent has sent an email to Labour supporters encouraging them to donate to the campaign.
The email – with the subject line of ‘Hello!’ – was sent with a short two-minute video of Ardern
“It has been such a long time since I have popped into your inbox, but I couldn’t think of a better time to jump on and just say quick hello, and also share two very quick messages.”
The first of those, which Ardern acknowledged was “completely obvious,” was urging support for Labour and “old colleague and friend” Chris Hipkins.
The second message was to share her memories of her time as Labour leader during a campaign, and what it meant when someone volunteered, door-knocked, or gave financial support.
“In 2017, I still remember when the general secretary told me not just the amount we were able to raise online, but when he told me how many people had given.”
See how the day unfolded in our blog below: